Residency requirement

In order to purchase a Wisconsin resident license, customers are required to provide proof of Wisconsin residency. Section 29.001(69) of the Wisconsin Statutes defines residency:

"Resident" means a person who has maintained his or her place of permanent abode in this state for a period of 30 days immediately preceding his or her application for an approval. Domiciliary intent is required to establish that a person is maintaining his or her place of permanent abode in this state. Mere ownership of property is not sufficient to establish domiciliary intent. Evidence of domiciliary intent includes, without limitation, the location where the person votes, pays personal income taxes or obtains a driver's license.

To purchase a resident license over the Internet, you are required to provide your DNR Customer Number, a valid Wisconsin Driver's License Number, or a Wisconsin Department of Transportation Identification Card Number.

Social Security Numbers

Federal mandates adopted in 1996 and corresponding changes in state law in 1998 require the collection of social security numbers for hunting and fishing licenses. This law change was the result of new federal rules governing child support enforcement efforts.

Every first-time customer will be required to provide his or her social security number to purchase a license or approval. Once the Social Security Number is entered into the system, the customer will be assigned a DNR Customer Number that will appear on every license document and receipt. Social Security Numbers are not printed on license documents. Any subsequent purchases will allow customers to purchase their licenses or approvals using their DNR Customer Number, avoiding the collection of social security number ever again.

The law that enacted the collection of Social Security Numbers is specific in restricting how this number is shared. It explicitly states that the Department of Natural Resources can only provide this number to the Bureau of Child Support at the Department of Children and Families.

Providing fraudulent information in applying for a hunting or fishing license puts the applicant at risk of having privileges revoked and subject to receiving other penalties and fines.